little league world series

Rhode Island team staves off elimination, will move on in Little League World Series

The Smithfield, Rhode Island, team beat Media, Pennsylvania, 7-2 on Sunday to stay alive in the Little League World Series.

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The Smithfield, Rhode Island, Little League team came up big when they needed to on Sunday, avoiding elimination from the tournament by beating the Media, Pennsylvania, team 7-2, in South Williamsport.

"These boys show up when the pressure is on," read a post on the team's Facebook page.

Rhode Island's offense exploded in the final inning, with the team scoring five runs.

Smithfield Head coach Eric Gibree previously told WJAR that playing with their backs against the wall lights a fire in the players, since this is not the first time they have faced elimination.

The bounce-back victory follows Friday's lopsided loss, in which Tennessee beat Smithfield 8-1.

The team has now won 10 elimination games this summer, and it will send its ace pitcher, Connor Curtis, to the mound Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The tournament runs from Aug. 16-27. In all, there are 20 teams -- 10 from the U.S. and 10 international teams.

Click here for our full guide to the 2023 Little League World Series.

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